Denny Hamlin shared an emotional account of his Daytona 500 experience after Tyler Reddick secured victory for their team, marking a major moment for co-owner Michael Jordan. The Denny Hamlin Daytona 500 reaction captured both the challenges and triumphs during a dramatic race weekend in Daytona, shining a light on recent struggles and new achievements for 23XI Racing.
Michael Jordan’s Legacy Extends to NASCAR with Daytona 500 Win
Denny Hamlin spoke openly about his sense of responsibility to Michael Jordan after the 2026 Daytona 500 concluded. Hamlin highlighted the significance of delivering race victories to Jordan, emphasizing the unique joy these moments bring to the legendary NBA figure, who is now the only individual to possess both an NBA championship and a Daytona 500 ring. The journey to this historic win was anything but easy for 23XI Racing, after a winless season for Tyler Reddick and a lengthy legal battle between 23XI’s co-owners and NASCAR throughout 2025. Their previous highlight had been Bubba Wallace’s win at the Brickyard, which helped keep momentum for the team. Following a failed title bid, Hamlin, alongside Jordan, played a crucial role in negotiating a major settlement that secured permanent charters and a greater revenue share for all teams.
“This is why we do it right and we had great talks in the offseason about, you know, we have the privilege of fulfilling his competitive fire. And you know, we should take that responsibility very seriously. Look at the joy he had at Talladega last, you know, a couple years ago, there’s not much in life that can get him that joy. But us on the racetrack winning races can do that, and you saw it here at the end of this race.”
— Denny Hamlin, PRN interview
Tyler Reddick’s Daytona Triumph Caps a Challenging Year
Tyler Reddick’s win in Daytona marked a turning point after a difficult previous season where he, the team, and all of 23XI struggled to find success on track. With Reddick failing to secure any victories in 2025 and ongoing pressure mounting from legal disputes, this win became especially meaningful for the driver and the organization. Reddick now enjoys a 12-point lead over Team Penske‘s Joey Logano, signaling a potential new era for both himself and 23XI. Meanwhile, Riley Herbst, another 23XI driver, was key in pushing Reddick to the front near the end, though his actions led to a collision with Brad Keselowski and a chaotic finish for the top competitors. Herbst crossed into Keselowski’s path, was hit by the No.6 Ford, and contributed to the race’s wreck-filled finale.
Hamlin Reflects on Personal Setbacks Amid Team Victory
While Denny Hamlin celebrated the team’s achievement, his own race was marred by incidents. During the final stages, Hamlin got tangled with teammate Christopher Bell, which sent him two laps down and resulted in him finishing outside the top-30—mirroring his overall season standing. Despite this, Hamlin chose to focus on the positives, stating that having multiple chances to win made the experience significant, even if the outcome was not personally favorable.
“Today is more good than bad, I can assure you that. This Daytona 500 I had the most chances to win. with five chances, you feel good about it, but you just never know. After I’d got into that last wreck, I looked and see how many horses I still had in it. I had quite a few. I was happy about that,”
— Denny Hamlin, PRN interview
Looking Ahead for 23XI and the NASCAR Field
The impact of Tyler Reddick’s Daytona win and Hamlin’s mindset is already influencing the dynamics of the season. With Reddick now atop the standings, the team hopes to sustain this momentum and cement Michael Jordan’s lasting presence in NASCAR. The settlement reached last year by Hamlin and Jordan ensured stability for all teams, and 23XI Racing’s recent victory demonstrates just how rapidly fortunes can change on and off the track. As the season progresses, the performances of competitors like Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, and Riley Herbst will be watched closely, while Hamlin remains determined to turn his fortunes around and help the team build on their historic Daytona success.
Denny Hamlin returns to Daytona 500 victory lane, but this time as a team owner.
“We have the privilege of fulfilling [Michael Jordan’s] competitive fire.” pic.twitter.com/zrgl5KWMp5
— PRN (@PRNlive) February 15, 2026
